Pictures and words

I tried to do some research on "a picture is worth a thousand words," but most of what I found was only speculation, except for the fact that some man introduced the idea while writing about the effectiveness of graphics in advertising.  That makes sense to me.

 "The big picture" can quickly convey a glancing idea to everyone in spite of what language they speak, whether or not they can read, and even if they just get a glance at it driving by.

I'll admit that a great picture, a piece of art, can convey much more. All the shapes and shades and colors can lead to many hours, perhaps even a lifetime of thoughtful perusal and enjoyment.

Words are different. Words take me deeper. They can describe feelings and nuances that a picture really can't get into. They can pinpoint the author's exact meaning, no guessing required. They can present possibilities that might be related to this scene that I might not think of on my own.

I love how some books use words to describe a place, or situation in ways that allow me to "see" it with my own my mind. It is like a custom made story.

As much as I love pictures and I have a bookcase of albums filled with them, I think pictures and words depend on the situation.  Sometimes I want to fall into Monet's lily ponds and sometimes I want to be engulfed by a good book.